The Honda Ridgeline Shouldn’t Be the Most Expensive Truck
The heated debates over the Honda Ridgeline are never dull. Some drivers claim that it’s not a real truck, while it constantly tops lists as the best option in the segment. The truth is that it’s not only a truck, but the Honda Ridgeline is actually the most expensive truck.
How much does the 2023 Honda Ridgeline cost?
The 2023 Honda Ridgeline starts with an MSRP of $38,800. The top-spec Black Edition takes the price up to $46,230. Then you need to apply the $1,345 destination fee, which makes the starting price $40,145 before dealership markups.
It actually starts higher than the 2023 Gladiator with its $38,775 MSRP. But the Ridgeline has standard AWD, and the Gladiator features standard 4×4 to increase the value. The 2023 Chevy Colorado rings in at $29,000, and the luxurious GMC Canyon starts at $36,900.
So if you ignore electric luxury trucks like the Rivian R1T, then the Ridgeline costs more than the one gas-powered luxury truck in the segment. But the Ridgeline isn’t considered to be a luxury option.
Being expensive doesn’t stop the Ridgeline from selling. It actually sold more models than the Ford Ranger in the first and second quarter of the year. It’s highly competitive against all rivals except for the Toyota Tacoma, which leads the pack by thousands of sales.
Why do people buy the Ridgeline?
The 2023 Honda Ridgeline is a popular truck to buy because it’s comfortable. It has a unibody design and handles more like a sedan than a traditional truck. It has the utility of a truck without the rough-and-tumble ride quality.
Some drivers may only consider body-on-frame trucks to be real trucks. That’s because the body-on-frame design provides more durability, greater suspension travel for off-roading, and can be easier to repair.
But the Ridgeline can still go off-roading even if it’s limited by its 7.6-inch ground clearance. We will admit that some Subaru SUVs are taller, but not every truck buyer is trying to clear rocks and other off-roading obstacles.
It has off-roading modes for Snow, Mud, and Sand. It also has Hill Descent Control. The Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,583 lbs.
It falls behind rivals but features a massive bed. It’s to only model that can hold 4-foot wide sheets without perching on the wheel wells. Plus, it has an in0bed lockable storage trunk and a multifunctional tailgate.
But to go back to comfort, the Ridgeline provides a smooth ride even on dirt roads thanks to the multi-link rear suspension. It has smooth transmission shifts, a quiet interior, automatic tri-zone climate control, and a premium interior.
How reliable is the Ridgeline?
The 2023 Honda Ridgeline has a reliability ranking of 80 out of 100 from J.D.Power. This prevents it from getting an above-average score. Anything between 70 and 80 is average, while scores between 81 and 90 are above average.
You can expect an average Ridgeline model should make it to 200,000 models before breaking down or experiencing a significant issue. But properly maintained models can reach 250,000 to 300,000 models.
It’s toward the back of the pack with its reliability ranking but can provide years of service. While it is considered to be the most comfortable truck, it doesn’t shine in any other areas. It can’t do as much as its rivals.
Plus, the smaller Hyindai Santa Cruz is comfortable and can tow the same amount for a much more affordable price. But stay tuned for the latest updates. A 2024 off-roading model could change things.
